Monday, December 26, 2016

Our 10 Favorite Monday Miracle Dogs of 2016

Mondays can be tough — that’s why each week here at Dogster, we bring you a Monday Miracle. These adorable dogs inspire us to meet the week’s challenges head on, just like they do. Whether it’s on two legs, with one eye, or after escaping conditions most humans can’t imagine, these resilient animals know how to get out of bed and get on with life.

It’s hard to pick favorites when we have so many to choose from, but these 10 are something special. Let’s take a look back at our favorite Monday Miracles of 2016 and see how they’re doing now.

1. Libre, a transformed Boston Terrier puppy

Libre was hardly recognizable when he was rescued. (Photo courtesy the Speranza Animal Rescue Facebook page)

Libre was hardly recognizable as a Boston Terrier when he was rescued. (Photo courtesy the Speranza Animal Rescue Facebook page)

Who could forget Libre? Neglected nearly to death, Speranza Animal Rescue helped bring him back to life. Covered in mange and infections when he was saved from a Pennsylvania farm, Libre’s shocking appearance inspired people in his state to seek tougher animal cruelty legislation. Unfortunately, Libre’s Law did not become law in 2016. It will need to be reintroduced next year. Libre continues to make progress and recently graduated from obedience class. Read his Monday Miracle feature.

2. RooRoo, the two-legged terrier

RooRoo has no front legs but plenty of personality. (Photo courtesy RooRoo's Facebook page)

RooRoo has no front legs but plenty of personality. (Photo courtesy RooRoo’s Facebook page)

2016 was a big year for Secondhand Hounds alumni RooRoo, who met her match when she met matchmaker Jenna Haag. This rescue mutt’s background is a bit of a mystery — her two front legs were amputated at some point before she arrived at a Kentucky shelter, underweight and urine stained. These days Roo is now living every dog’s dream with Jenna, who says Roo recently discovered a love of bacon, and is campaigning for an all-bacon diet in 2017. Read her Monday Miracle feature.

3. Pippa, tripod and viral video star

Pippa now, in her forever home with her new sister, Jeanie the therapy dog (Image courtesy Jeanie The 3-Legged Pooch)

Pippa now, in her forever home with her new sister, Jeanie the therapy dog. (Photo courtesy Jeanie The 3-Legged Pooch)

Another awesome amputee, Pippa lost her leg after a car accident earlier this year, but thanks to the Southern Animal Foundation shelter, she then gained a forever home and internet fame. Adopted by the family of Jeanie (a fellow three-legged dog and the subject of a children’s book, Jeanie the 3-Legged Dog: I Don’t Need Four Feet), Pippa proved she’s got far more energy than her new sister when a video of her running passed Jeanie went viral, amassing over 100 million views on various sites. According to her human, Lydia Crochet, Pippa is currently attending a dog training school and will be a main character in Jeanie’s next children’s book. Read her Monday Miracle feature.

4. Ruby, the Pit Bull with a cleft palate

Now all grown up, Ruby is busy helping other special needs newborns. (Ruby is all grown up now. (Photo courtesy Ruby's Facebook page)

Now all grown up, Ruby is busy helping other special needs newborns. (Photo courtesy Ruby’s Facebook page)

Once a newborn pup with a cleft palate and an uncertain future, this Monday Miracle dog is on a mission to help other puppies facing the same fate. In August, we shared the story of how Ruby’s life was saved by Jenn Clayton of the Utah Animal Advocacy Foundation, and how she changed Jenn’s life in return, inspiring her to foster more cleft palate puppies and other special needs pets. Since Ruby’s first appearance on Dogster, she and Clayton have fostered several more newborn puppies (and one kitten) with cleft palates. Jenn says Ruby takes her role as surrogate mom very seriously and loves to cuddle with the foster babies. Read her Monday Miracle feature.

5. Mr. Crowley, the charming senior Chihuahua

The picture of Mr. Crowley used on his Petfinder profile. (Photo courtesy @mr.crowley_chichi on Instagram)

The picture of Mr. Crowley used on his Petfinder profile. (Photo courtesy @mr.crowley_chichi on Instagram)

Abandoned in a cardboard box outside the SPCA of Westchester at 12 years old, Mr. Crowley was in need of a special home just when Raquel Fernandes was on the hunt for a special senior. Since becoming a Monday Miracle, Mr. Crowley has gained 1 whole pound. He’s also come out of his shell, perfecting a trick Raquel calls “the ugly dog,” which involves wiggling on his back while snorting in pursuit of petting. And after months of ignoring his dog toys, this elderly Chihuahua wrapped up the year by discovering his inner puppy. Read his Monday Miracle feature.

6. Sadie, the Basenji–Bull Terrier mix who was skin and bones

Sadie was extremely malnourished, but otherwise healthy, when she came into care. (Photo courtesy Animal Justice League on Facebook)

Sadie was extremely malnourished, but otherwise healthy, when she came into care. (Photo courtesy Animal Justice League on Facebook)

A true success story, Sadie’s journey from emaciated to adopted is definitely miraculous. When she became a Monday Miracle back in May, Sadie was still in the care of Animal Justice League. The organization took her in after seeing pictures of her startlingly skinny frame on a shelter website, but Sadie needed more than a few good meals — she needed training, something she got with Matt Bryant, The Texas Dogfather. Since our last story, Sadie was adopted by her foster parents. They say she loves rides in the truck, squeezy balls, naps, and walks with friends from her new neighborhood. Read her Monday Miracle feature.

7. Bandit, the Cocker Spaniel saved from euthanasia

Bandit had four more years with a loving family after his first sought to euthanize him. (Photo courtesy Bandit's Facebook page)

Bandit had four more years with a loving family after his first sought to euthanize him. (Photo courtesy Bandit’s Facebook page)

He was brought in to be put down, but instead, Bandit found a new family when his vet tech, Julie Denton, adopted him. His story is a lesson in hope, as Bandit — once paralyzed — got back on his feet with his new family. About five months after becoming a Monday Miracle, Bandit’s paralysis returned after he stopped responding to chemotherapy. In October, after four years with Julie, Bandit’s journey came to an end, but his legacy of love and second chances will surely live beyond 2016. Read his Monday Miracle feature.

8. Molly, the Amtrak amputee

Kevin and Molly were reunited after her rescue. (Photo courtesy Molly's Facebook page)

Kevin and Molly were reunited after her rescue. (Photo courtesy Molly’s Facebook page)

This mini Pit Bull made headlines in Baltimore during the first month of 2016 after she was hit by a train and then saved from the tracks by Amtrak Police Officer Kevin McMullen. Her accident severed her leg, and Kevin couldn’t get her out of his head even after she was transferred into the care of the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). The officer and his girlfriend, Claire, ended up adopting little Molly. Claire recently submitted Molly’s story to the Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes Campaign and Molly became one of 54 finalists, earning a $5,000 grant for BARCS. Read her Monday Miracle feature.

9. Daffodil, the Chihuahua on wheels

Young Daffodil needed wheels and a home. (Photo courtesy San Francisco SPCA)

Young Daffodil needed wheels and a home. (Photo courtesy San Francisco SPCA)

Just a month old when she was abandoned on a rainy street, Daffodil got the help she needed thanks to the San Francisco SPCA. Born with a congenital forelimb deformity, Daffodil has little nubs instead of front legs. After seeing a cast of her body, veterinary prosthetic case manager Olivia Kong adopted Daffodil and has documented her amazing year through Facebook. Daffodil spent the summer hiking in the Rockies, then performed in an agility course for disabled pets and recently celebrated her first Gotcha Day. Her Facebook page has more than 7,000 fans now. Read her Monday Miracle feature.

10. Pee Wee, the one-eyed Pug

This handsome little Pug was likely born prematurely. (photo courtesy @peeweesbigpugventure)

This handsome little Pug was likely born prematurely. (photo courtesy @peeweesbigpugventure)

A very recent Monday Miracle, Pee Wee started 2016 with a ruptured eye that was hard to look at, but now that it’s gone this pint-sized pug is as handsome as can be. Now thriving in his adopted home despite his blindness, Pee Wee recently had surgery on his remaining eye. Through his Facebook page Pee Wee’s people report that his first post-op checkup was a success and his eye is now perfectly smooth. Read his Monday Miracle feature.

Who was your favorite Monday Miracle this year?

The post Our 10 Favorite Monday Miracle Dogs of 2016 appeared first on Dogster.

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